“I think the Chancellor wants to see himself in the history books as someone who reduced the size of the state deficit. But that will produce major problems for the economy and the financing of public services.”

He said it was important to have a Scottish voice on the committee because of the dominance of the City of London and its agenda .

“It’s not just about furthering the Scottish home rule agenda, it’s about trying to have a broader supervision over the City of London.”

Mr Sheppard said the standards committee, set up in the wake of the expenses scandal, was about making sure everything was transparent and above board. “I will want the fullest possible scrutiny.”

But he added: “I can reassure the public that the perception of a new MP is that the expenses system is screwed down pretty tight now. If anything, I’d say it was over-bureaucratic.”